1997 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Multiple Sports
Lionel a native of Flint, attended Jefferson Elementary, Emerson Jr. High and Central High School. He also attended Western Michigan University and graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint. Because of his hustle and natural leadership, Lonnie was known as the best all-around back in the Saginaw Valley. Lonnie inherited his natural ability for sports from his father who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
FOOTBALL
1961 All-Valley Quarterback
Flint Central M.V.P.
Central Tri-Captain
All-State Quarterback
Flint’s first Black All-State Quarterback
Central’s longest Quarterback scoring run – 72 yards
Team’s most total yards – 1,071
Led team rushing – 530 yards
First Quarterback to lead team in rushing – 530 yards season.
2nd team scoring – 30 points
First Quarterback to have over 5 yards rushing
2nd passing in one season
Most yards quarterback rushing – single game-134 yards
28 punts – averaging 39 yards
Passing-90 attempts, completed 33 – 541 total yards
BASEBALL:
1960 Batting average – 333
1961 Batting average – 263
BASKETBALL:
1959-62 Earned six letters
COLLEGE:
Baseball Scholarship – Western Michigan University
